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AFL to launch review of second-tier competitions

Peter Ryan
Feb 24, 2015 3:10PM

Gillon McLachlan has announced the AFL will partner with state bodies to review the nation's second-tier competitions

THE AFL will embark on a sweeping review of second-tier football competitions across the nation in 2015 to identify potential improvements in the way the system operates.

The review will be conducted in partnership with state bodies, with an announcement of who will lead the review expected within weeks.

It is designed to examine how to improve the development of elite talent, broaden participation and attract new people to the game.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said it was the first time all states had indicated a willingness to collaborate and look for areas for improvement.

"We are in partnership with all of our states and we are looking at a review of spend in the states and for opportunities for improvement across talent, across community football and across broader participation," McLachlan said.

The AFL is not prepared to pre-empt the outcome of the review but is keen to examine ways to increase the profile of women's football and attract people from a variety of backgrounds to the game.

"It's remiss of us if we're not looking for opportunity," McLachlan said.

The expansion of the elite AFL competition has led to clubs mining state leagues for talent, with several players making the leap in recent seasons.

However the AFL's review is not merely focusing on developing elite talent but ensuring people's interaction with Australian football is a positive experience, regardless of the level at which they play or follow the game.

McLachlan was keen to emphasise that the AFL would be working in partnership with bodies such as the VFL, SANFL, WAFL and the NEAFL to look at how to maximise the return on the League's investment each year.